[SEL] Rough and Tumble

[Glenn Wilson]

I haven't attended our local show in 20+ years because it is basically an RV show with a few maytags and a a few other odd engines. I remember the western NY show being pretty good. I paid for life dues then life changed. How ironic!  But RV shows with low engine count suck for the viewer. 

Glenn Wilson
Endicott, NY
www.WilsonsWarbler.com

On Aug 28, 2014, at 2:34 PM, Frank DeWitt LBP <Frank at lbpinc.com> wrote:

Thanks for the background.  I have attended for 3 years now so I am 
beginning to pick up some history and it agrees with what you have 
written.  BTW I think I was lucky that I have been attending on the up 
swing and was not there at the low point.

There is a big show near my home (Pageant of Steam) and I like it but 
asked my self why I like R&T better.  One think I came up with is the no 
cars in the exhibit area rule!   I was amazed at my self because I am 
one of the people who needs to leave my exhibit and park my car and it 
was a rule that delayed my attending R&T for a few years.   What I 
realized is that at R&T I walk from one engine to the next with nothing 
in between but engines When I look out over the grounds all I see is old 
iron.  At Pageant of Steam I look at a engine, then walk past a 40 ft RV 
and look at another engine.  A lot more walking and a lot less eye candy.

This year R&T has a new president and the word is that he is much more 
non steam friendly.    One sign of this is a new building that has been 
set up on the grounds and staffed by volunteers to do nothing but sell 
stuff for exhibitors.  You give them your stuff with the price and a 
cell number if you like, they display it, sell it and take the money for 
you.     Another small sign of a attitude of caring about people is that 
the show hires two people to do nothing but keep the rest rooms clean 
all day every day.  I have never seen that at a engine show.

BTW The flea market is still separate but it is down the hill (same 
grounds) next to the private camp site.  Lots of trees.

BBTW  I figured out a trick last year for these shows without your 
vehicle. I take a second cooler and put all that stuff that is usually 
in the car in it.  Papers, cards, camera, sunscreen, all that stuff we 
need.  I don't miss the car like I thought I would.

http://www.roughandtumble.org/groundsmap



> On 8/28/2014 1:48 PM, Jim Hardman wrote:
> Frank, and everyone...
> 
> Rough and Tumble is one of the better shows in the country, and perhaps the
> very best for steam enthusiasts.  We attended, and exhibited there for over
> thirty five years.  And it was geared to family involvement;  our grand
> children said it was their favorite week of the year.
> 
> R&T's revised r